Hose



1933- R. TAYLOR 2,117,921 HOSE Filed June 26, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. TAYLOR H 0 S E Filed June 26, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet ?atented May 1%, i%)3h EDS E to iiiird & Yecrnans, lireieestershire, lfilngliand Application June 1934, Serial No. 732,541

in Great ll*iritain 3 iliainrs.

This invention is for improvements in or relating; to hose or the like. It is chiefly concerned with ladies hose, which, as is well imown, extend above the knee and are commonly supported by means of suspenders. Because such a stocking is pulled up taut over the knee, as the latter is flexed the stocking is subjected to considerable tension both in the circumferential and in the longitudinal direction. The latter stress is more or less concentrated or localized hecau.% the suspender only affords a local grip, and hence is a prolific cause of iadders. Moreover, because imitted fabric is possessed of substantial elasticity only in the direction of the courses (1. e. circumferentially of a hose) the courses are distorted by the pull*of the suspender, giving an untidy appearance.

These disadvantages are obviated according to the present invention by providing a hose or the like having an upper part (e. g. that part which in a stocking comes at or above the knee) of fabric which is capable of substantial stretch both in the circumferential and in the longitudina.l direction. This two-way stretch is most conveniently achieved by working elastic thread into the fabric. It is of course well known to lay elastic thread weft-wise between the oppositely drawn loops of a rib-knitted upper portion of golf hose, men's socks, and the like without knitting the thread into loops, but owing to the unidirectional disposition of the elastic thread at all times, this does not impart two-way stretch to the article--only increased elasticity in the circumferential direction.

According to an important feature of the present invention the elastic thread is so worked into the fabric comprised in the upper part of the article that it extends to some extent longitudinally thereof, at least when the-article is stretched in that direction. Therefore there is incorporated in the top of the hose or the like, preferably at or above the knee, lace made wholly or in part of elastic thread.

A preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

which Figure 1 is a view of a ladies nose having a two-way stretch portion .at -tlre top, and

Figure 2 is a view, on an--;enlarged scale, of said two-way stretch portiom- Figure 3 is a v1ew';1;or a section of the fabric employed for the suspender grip portion of a stocking embodyingthe present invention.

Throughout description like reference numorals lndiot it'e like parts.

England, assignor Earl Shilton,

, REJS 8 U ED April Iii), 1934 ferential band produced, separately from the hose, upon a lace machine of known or approved type, such as a levers or go-through machine, and either seamed to the top of the hose (as is preferred) at I or run on to the needles by which the hose is knitted. The said band ii is conveniently produced in strip form, the requisite length being cut from the strip and the ends of 15 it seamed together at i3 before or after it has been seamed to the hose.

In the strip from which the band I l is formed there are longitudinal elastic threads I 4 with which finer textile threads I 5 pillar in any de- 20 sired lace or open work pattern. Therefore these elastic threads are bound together at intervals, in groups, as are the bobbin threads in ordinary lace, and are distorted from the straight into a sinuous or zig-zag course. This sinuosity is even 25 more pronounced when the band is stretched sideways (i. e. when the hose is stretched longitudinally) and the longitudinal elasticity of the upper part of the hose is a result of it.

The greater the threads the greater the longitudinal elasticity of the hose, and it may be desirable for this purpose to choose a weave in which the elastic threads are bound together at intervals in groups of three or more. Lace weaves or patterns suitable for the 35 purpose of this invention will present no difllculty to the lace manufacturer.

It is an advantage if, above the two-way stretch band I I of the hose, there is a band I 6 of fabric which is stouter than the ordinary fabric of the 40 hose and so affords a good grip for the suspenders and is not liable to rupture. This welt or suspender grip-band is preferably produced on the lace machine as a band of clothing at the side of the lace band I and united thereto. Elastic threads are desirably incorporated in this clothing also, so that a garter portion is formed at the top of the hose. Above the clothing I there may be a further narrow band I I of elastic lace, and at the extreme top of the hose a very narrow band of clothing I8 incorporating the elastic threads. In these bands of clothing, because they are made simultaneously with the bands I I, H, the elastic threads extend in the main clrcumferentlally, so that said bands are slnuosity of the elastic capable of circumferential stretch, but as the said threads are also bound together by textile threads which extend to and fro between them, when the stocking is strained longitudinally the elastic threads take up a sinuous form, and hence the bands of clothing are capable of stretch longitudinally of the hose also.

It is preferred that the elastic thread employed in the manufacture of hose and the like according to this invention shall be wrapped or covered.

I claim 1. A hose, having near the top a. circumferential band of fabric incorporating elastic threads which extend side by side circumferentially of the hose, and other threads binding said elastic threads together at intervals, in groups, certain of which elastic threads extend to and fro between a plurality of groups.

2. In the extreme top of a ladies stocking that has the leg knitted of relatively inelastic strands, an upper part of fabric made upon a lace machine and including a piece of clothing, which fabric incorporates elastic threads and is capable of stretch both longitudinally and circumferen- 3. A ladies full-length hose having a leg knitted of comparatively inelastic thread and having attached thereto a suspender grip, extending from the open end of the stocking to a position adjacent the knee of the wearer, which suspender grip consists of lace fabric, in which elastic threads are incorporated and which is capable of simultaneous stretch in directions both circumferentially and longitudinally of the stocking.

RAYMOND TAYLOR. 

